Plastic Refrigerator Front Frame With Magnetic Door Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a refrigerator's front frame is made of plastic instead of ferromagnetic sheet metal, the magnetic seal's attraction is weakened, leading to potential repulsion between magnets and leaks or failure of the door to close tightly, especially on horizontally extending sections under varying loads.
Innovation Solution
Arranging magnets with opposite poles facing the contact surface and opposite poles facing away from the contact surface along the seal's circumference, with additional anti-parallel magnets on vertically extending sections to ensure consistent sealing, and using a wider magnet on one side to compensate for height variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a plastic front frame is used instead of ferromagnetic sheet metal, then thermal insulation is improved, but magnetic attraction force deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into different sections (horizontally extending sections and vertically extending sections) with different magnet arrangements optimized for each section's specific requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Different magnet configurations are applied to different locations: parallel magnets for horizontal sections where displacement is critical, and anti-parallel magnets for vertical sections where displacement risk is lower
2Force
If anti-parallel magnets are arranged behind the front frame, then magnetic attraction is achieved, but the risk of repulsion due to misalignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using parallel magnet arrangements in horizontal sections where the magnetic fields are oriented to prevent repulsion even when displacement occurs, counteracting the potential harmful effect before it can manifest
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the magnetic field orientation parameter from anti-parallel to parallel in horizontal sections, transforming the interaction mode between magnets to eliminate repulsion risks while maintaining attraction force
3Reliability
If parallel magnet arrangement is used on horizontal seal sections, then repulsion risk is reduced, but magnetic attraction force is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using parallel magnet arrangements specifically in horizontal sections where displacement is critical, and anti-parallel arrangements in vertical sections where displacement risk is lower, optimizing each location's magnet configuration for its specific needs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration maintains a sealing contact between the magnetic seal and the front frame, ensuring the door closes tightly regardless of load variations and reduces material costs by allowing smaller magnets on vertical sections.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic seal 4 forming a rectangular frame... A magnet 7 is arranged in the form of a frame on the rear side of the front frame... ensures that the seal rests sealingly against the contact surface on the front frame due to the magnetic force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator comprising a body (1) and a door (2), The body (1) is provided with a front frame (5) that is made of a low heat-conducting material such as plastic or similar and is backed by a first magnet (7). A door (2) seal (4) that is fitted with a second magnet (9) seals against the front frame (5) in the closed position of the door (2). Opposite first poles (7N, 9S) of the two poles (7N, 7S; 9N, 9S) of each magnet (7, 9) face the contact area between the seal (4) and the front frame (5) while second poles (7S; 9N) face away from the contact area.